Ministry of Economic Planning Headquarters, Mbabane

Tel: +268 2404 6965 

Mr. Anthony  Mthunzi

Principal Economist

 

Objectives of the department

The Aid Coordination and Management Section (ACMS) is responsible for the mobilization and management of external assistance for the implementation of various programs and projects within and outside government.

Mandate:

The Aid coordination and Management Section is the coordinator of external assistance. It is responsible for the mobilization and management of the country’s external assistance for the implementation of various programs and projects within and outside government. The section has an aid policy which is the legal framework that underpins the work of the ACMS.

All external resources are to be channeled through the ACMS which will ensure that they are used in accordance with government’s national development policies and that there is no duplication of efforts. The ACMS is the channel of communication between government and development partners.

Functions:

  • Prepare a comprehensive statement of Aid Policy
  • Prepare Development assistance frameworks
  • Maintain donor profiles and undertake resource mobilization
  • Appraise programmes and projects to be funded by development partners
  • Participate in drawing up Financing Agreements
  • Assist in preparing Work plans for donor funded project
  • Maintain a database of all external funds
  • Ensure that donor funds are used in accordance with donor procedures
  • Monitor progress on the implementation of donor funded projects and programmes
  • Monitor evaluation and audit of donor funded project
  • Report on Donor commitments and disbursements

 

 

AGENCIES THAT WORKS WITH THE DEPARTMENT

United Nations Agencies (UN)

 

The United Nations Agencies currently being coordinated by the ministry:

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF)
  • United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Under the joint UN programs the department has quarterly meetings where all Implementing Partners for programs funded by the UN present progress.

  • Final report on Donor Assessment Survey in Swaziland was finalized and adopted.
  • A second quarter meeting was held with Implementing Partners.
  • Conducted Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) for United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2011-2015 (UNDAF)
  • Convened a second Programme Boards meeting for all UN funded programme.  The boards monitors the implementation of the various programme

Some of the projects funded by the UNDP include;

  • Poverty Reduction
  • HIV/ AIDS
  • Gender

 

Republic of China (Taiwan) – US$180m

The country has a bilateral cooperation agreement/Protocol with the Republic of China which covers a ten year period. The current cooperation ends in 2017 and funds under this Protocol amounts to US$180m. Projects funded under this Protocol are appraised and monitored by the Technical Monitoring Committee (TMC), which normally meets once a year. The country has benefited a lot since the bilateral cooperation existed between the two countries and the standard of living for the Swazi community has greatly improved. The Taiwanese Government has assisted in many areas which include the Rural Electrification Project, the Rural Water Supply Project, construction of the Terminal Building for the Sikhuphe International Airport, Establishment of the Intensive Care Unit at RFM Hospital, Provision of medical equipment for the TB hospital, Health Centres, Clinics and Hospitals, Water Supply to Schools among others. There is also the Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC) which is an annual event where the two countries meet to approve projects recommended by the TMC and discuss issues of mutual interest. Hosting of the JMC alternates between the two countries.

Japan

The country has bilateral cooperation with the Government of Japan.  The government of Japan has assisted the country and is continuing its assistance in different areas that include the Establishment of the Swaziland Integrated and Geospatial Information System, Farm inputs, Provision of tractors to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Aid project, among others. Japan through JICA continues to assist with the capacity building program both for government and private institutions.

Currently the country has signed a grant agreement of ¥1, 143 billion equivalent to E99m for the Improvement of Secondary School Education which involves the construction of twelve high schools in all the regions of the country.

European Union Programs

The European Union is one of our major donors and development partner. The Ministry continues to coordinate the implementation of projects funded by the European Union and these include:

  • Support to Education and Training (SET) this project focuses on construction of primary schools’ classrooms, capitation grant and construction of workshops in various vocational institutions.  The beneficiary institutions are VOCTIM, SCOT and Nazarene Teachers’ college.
  • EU accompanying measures to sugar protocol countries.   The purpose of this program is to assist sugarcane farmers adapt to the EU sugar reforms that were introduced in 2006. Installation of irrigation equipment in 865ha in various farmers associations in the country has been completed. Planting has commenced under LUSIP and KDDP.
  • Swaziland Agricultural Development Programme which is responsible for improving productivity of small scale farmers and assisting them to access
  • markets.Competitiveness and Trade Support Programme (€1.799m)

This program aims to facilitate regional and international trade as a means of contributing to Gross Domestic Product growth and poverty alleviation. Its purpose is to enhance the capacity in Swaziland to formulate, negotiate and implement trade policies that are inclusive and pro-poor.

Technical Corporation Facility

The purpose of this program is for conducting workshops and seminars for programs that are a priority to the Government of Swaziland as well as technical assistance.

                                                                                Water and Sanitation (€12m)

The project aims to improve portable water supply and sanitation in selected areas in Lubombo and Shiselweni region. These regions have been consistently hit hard by the ongoing drought.  The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy. The project will also build capacity of the Department of Water Affaires, which plays a critical role in this sector.

EU/World Bank Health Programme (€16.2m-EU component and US$20m – World Bank component)

 The project aims at improving access to and quality of health services in Swaziland with a particular focus on primary health care, maternal health and TB and to increase social safety net access for OVC through a cash transfer pilot

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